Born in Jefferson County, Wis., 26 November 1853, Frank Edmund Beatty, graduated from the Academy in 1875. He commanded Wisconsin (BB-9) during the world cruise of the Atlantic Battleship Fleet. He was later Commandant of the Navy Yard and the Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D. C. Rear Admiral Beatty also assisted in improving naval artillery practice and in developing an electric range finder. He retired 6 October 1919 and died at Charleston, S. C., 16 March 1926.

Beatty joined the Atlantic Fleet and patrolled along the east coast and in the Caribbean until 8 October 1942. She escorted the Southern (Safi) Attack Force to the North African invasion (8-11 November 1942). The destroyer then began escorting convoys between New York and Casablanca, French Morocco, making three round trips between 12 December 1942 and 28 April 1943. Departing New York 8 June she arrived at Oran, Algeria, 22 June. She left Oran 5 July and during 10-12 July took part in the invasion of Sicily.

Returning to New York 4 August, she then completed a round trip convoy escort mission to the Mediterranean (21 August-21 September). Departing New York 2 October she escorted a convoy to Britain and there picked up another convoy (28 October) for the Mediterranean. While off Cape Bourgaroun, Algeria, 6 November 1943, German aircraft attacked the convoy. After fighting off several planes, Beatty was torpedoed- She broke in two and sank about three hours and 22 minutes later. Eleven of the crew were lost and eight wounded during the attack.